The University of Illinois Springfield Center for State Policy and Leadership will host a series of Constitution Day events Sept. 16-17. The programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Raising Politically Engaged Kids: Community Panel
5:30–7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, Lanphier High School
UIS and Springfield Public Schools District 186 will co-host a community panel discussion moderated by NPR Illinois. Panelists include Lindsey Cormack, author of “How to Raise a Citizen,” Illinois State Sen. Doris Turner and Springfield Alderman Shawn Gregory. Heavy appetizers will be provided, and free signed copies of Cormack’s book will be available.
The Constitution: From Principles to Practice
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Sept. 17, UIS Student Union
Cormack will discuss the importance of being an engaged voter and how Constitutional principles apply to current issues. Units from the Center for State Policy and Leadership will showcase their work and its connection to Constitutional issues, including the Illinois Innocence Project and student-led policy initiatives. Lunch will be provided.
The First Amendment Under Stress: Constitution Day Panel
5:30–7:30 p.m. Sept. 17, UIS Student Union
Sean Crawford of NPR Illinois will moderate a panel discussion on press freedom, the role of media in society and the First Amendment. Panelists include Tim Franklin of the Medill School of Journalism and Don Craven of the Illinois Press Association.